He said when he arrived in Rotorua early last year he had not played hockey in about four years because of injury. But his current coach Karandeep Lall talked him into playing again.
"[Karandeep] encouraged me and I got started again," he said.
He said he played school hockey and representative hockey in India before a broken leg put him out.
"I played for some academies and then I got an injury on my right leg. It was broken and I stopped playing."
The 22-year-old said he was enjoying his time back on the turf and hoped his Indians side could produce a win tomorrow.
Earlier this year, the Aces won the first derby match of the season, beating the Indians 6-1.
"I played in the first game but the problem was we did not have enough players, but we have a few more players now," he said. "We are going to play good hockey this weekend."
Rotorua Aces coach Tenga Rangitauira said there was always added incentive to win a Rotorua derby match.
"It is a bit of bragging rights and it is always nice to be able to say you are the top club in the region."
He said a lot of the players from both teams knew each other and were mates.
"We know each other so well that we could challenge each other on the field and then come off and be good friends."
He said the Aces had the better record during the past few years but had learned to never underestimate the Indians.
"We have got the better of them over the past couple of years but we have had times where we have come out a bit cocky and have come away with the loss."
Meanwhile, the Rotorua Aces women's team will travel to Counties Manukau tomorrow to compete in the Midlands intercity women's competition.
Aces vs Indians at Smallbone Park tomorrow at 2pm.
